December 29, 2015

By Obituaries on December 29, 2015.

1925 ~ THOMPSON ~ 2015

George Adelbert Thompson of Medicine Hat, beloved husband of the late Fern Thompson, passed away on Sunday, December 27th, 2015 at the age of 90 years. George leaves to cherish his memory his seven children, 31 grandchildren, and 52 great- grandchildren, and their families. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS, 7 Sierra Boulevard SW, on Saturday from 9:30 to 10:50 a.m. The Funeral Service will be held at the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS on Saturday, January 2nd, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. with Bishop Jordan Mulholland conducting. Memorial gifts in George's memory may be made to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital or to the Palliative Care Unit, both c/o Medicine Hat & District Health Foundation, 666 – 5th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4H6. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading George Thompson. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

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1930 ~ BRIERE ~ 2015

Helene Briere of Medicine Hat, beloved wife of the late Paul Briere, passed away after a long struggle with heart disease on Saturday, December 26th, 2015 at the age of 85 years. Helene leaves to cherish her memory her four children, Priscilla (Richard) Peltier, Claude (Shelley) Briere, Joel (Betty-Jo Beckley) Briere, and Carmen (Percy) Chase; nine grandchildren: Jean-Paul (Jennifer) Peltier, Danielle (Marc) Vien; Natasha (Travis) Monk, Nathan Briere, Nicholas Briere; Nicole Briere, Michael Briere, Michael Beckley; Ryan Chase (Corinne Tulley), Renee (Craig) Moriyama; eight great-grandchildren: James and Jade Peltier; Parker, Rowan and Samuel Vien; Mason, Jaxon and Cohen Chase; two brothers, Tony (Alice) Lemay and Marcel Lemay; one brother-in-law, Maurice Briere; two sisters-in-law, Jeanne Briere and Marie Lemay; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Helene was predeceased by her husband, Paul; and her parents, Armand and Lea Lemay. Helene was a long-time resident of Ponteix. After retirement, Paul and Helene enjoyed wintering in Arizona for many years and eventually moving and settling to Medicine Hat where they made many close friends, although never forgetting their roots in Ponteix. The family wishes to send their gratitude to the staff at Chinook Village and St. Joseph’s Home for their support and care in her final days. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Wednesday from 9:00 to 9:55 a.m. The Funeral Service will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL on Wednesday, December 30th, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. Interment will take place at a later date at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Helene's memory may be made to the Carmel Hospice, St. Joseph's Home, 156 – 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 5M1. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Helene Briere. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

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1933 ~ RAPSON ~ 2015

Wilfred "Wilf" Alan Rapson of Bow Island, beloved husband of the late Dorothy Rapson, passed away on Monday, December 28th, 2015 at the age of 82 years. Wilf leaves to cherish his memory his children: Lorne Rapson and his children, Graham and Layne (Josh); Kim (Ron) Goertzen and their children, Justin (Misty) and their daughter, Shae, and Aaron (Alex); Barb Cote-Parisien (deceased) and her children, Nathan (Marcy) and their children, Lyle, Robin and Courtney, and Angela (Tim); Val (Jim) McLellan and their children, Brooks, Bret, and Bailey; Susanne (Randy) Hammel and their children, Stephanie and her son, Marcus, Kayla (Darren) and Matthew (Rochelle); one brother, Don (Eve) Rapson; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Wilf was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy in 2011; his parents, Earl and Olive; two daughters, Barb Cote-Parisien and Angela Rapson; one grandson, Corey Sirovyak; three brothers, Jim, Chuck, and Ken; and two sisters, Hazel and Marie. Wilf grew up in Southern Alberta and moved to Medicine Hat where he met Dorothy. They were married on November 25th, 1953 in St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church in Bow Island. They lived in Medicine Hat until 1969 when they moved to Bow Island where they continued to reside and raise their family. Wilf enjoyed fishing in his younger years, driving truck, and watching hockey throughout his life. His most precious times were those spent with his family and friends. Wilf will be lovingly remembered by all those who knew and loved him. Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at ST. MICHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, 1101 – 1st Street East, Bow Island, on Wednesday from 3:00 to 3:55 p.m. The Funeral Service will be held at ST. MICHAEL'S ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH on Wednesday at 4:00 p.m. with Father Fred Monk officiating. A Private Interment will take place on Thursday, December 31st, 2015 at Hillside Cemetery. Memorial gifts in Wilf's memory may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, #102, 1865 Dunmore Road SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1Z8, or to the Canadian Diabetes Association, #102, 73 – 7th Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 1J2. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Wilf Rapson. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

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1934 ~ HANNA ~ 2015

Elwin "Pat" Hugh Hanna, beloved husband of Ethel Hanna of Medicine Hat, passed away on Thursday, December 24th, 2015 at the age of 81 years. Pat also leaves to cherish his memory his five children: Brenda (Jamie) Durkin of Redcliff; Brett Hanna of Medicine Hat; Mark Hanna of Medicine Hat; Terri (Dennis) Mann of Medicine Hat; and Julie (David) Herrmann of Schuler; ten grandchildren: Kayleigh (Brandon) and their children, Rylee and Ryder; Nicole and her children, Jack and Olivia; Anna (Murray) and their children, Gabriel and Hope; Brady; Brianne; Chris (Amy); Justine and her daughter, Lily; Jade (Brendan) and their son, Hudson and a wee one on the way; Amy; and Blair; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law. Pat was predeceased by his parents; one brother, Lanny; and one sister, Deonne. Pat was an avid stock car racer for over five decades from the 1950's to the 90's both in Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. He also enjoyed golfing, playing pool, and working in his yard. Pat worked for the CP Rail as a locomotive engineer for 35 years and took great pride in his work. In his earlier years, he was an irrigation farmer and began tinkering with cars at an early age. Pat enjoyed traveling and loved animals, but nothing was more important than the time he spent with his family. The Funeral Service will be held at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL, #1 Dunmore Road SE, on Wednesday, December 30th, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with Gary W. Goran officiating. Memorial gifts in Pat’s memory may be made to the SPCA, 55 Southwest Drive SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 8E8, or to the Alzheimer’s Society, 201, 770 – 6th Street SW, Medicine Hat, Alberta, T1A 4J6, or to the charity of one’s choice. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Pat Hanna. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

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1938 ~ VARGA ~ 2015

Eileen Mae Varga of Redcliff, passed away on Friday, December 18th, 2015 at the age of 77 years. The Funeral Service was held yesterday at SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL. Memorial gifts in Eileen's memory may be made to the Canadian Liver Foundation or to the Marjorie E. Yuill Cancer Centre. Condolences may be sent through http://www.saamis.com or to condolences@saamis.com subject heading Eileen Varga. Funeral arrangements entrusted to
SAAMIS MEMORIAL FUNERAL CHAPEL CREMATORIUM & RECEPTION CENTRE, "The Chapel in the Park", locally owned and directed. Should you wish any additional information, please telephone (403)528-2599

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FRIESS

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Otto Friess on Wednesday, December 24, 2015, at the age of 87 years. Otto leaves to cherish his memory two children Victor (Anne) Friess and Ingrid (Gerald) Andres, both of Medicine Hat; seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren, Josh Ehman and his children Korbin and Kaine; Matthew (Amanda) Friess and their children Charlotte and Lydia; Chris (Jennifer) Friess and their children, Weston and Levi; Zach Friess, Brandon, Courtney and Alexander Andres. Also, his special love Lily Stonjeck; three sisters-in-law Lily Friess and Elfriede Lasslop of Calgary and Erika Baedke of Medicine Hat; one brother-in-law John (Else) Baedke as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Otto was predeceased by his wife Elsie (Baedke) Friess in 1999; his parents, Wilhem and Maria Friess; two brothers, Emil Friess (1974) and Reinhold (Maria) Friess (2004); one sister Rosel (Walter) Nawrot (2015); one daughter-in-law, Zoeanne Friess (2001); a sister-in-law and brother-in-law Wilma (Herbert) Ritter, brother-in-law and sister-in-law Alwin and Amalia Baedke, brother-in-law Otto Baedke, brother-in-law Julius Lasslop. Otto was born on September 23, 1928 in Leipzig, Bessarabia. He was the youngest of four children. Otto and his family relocated to Leipzig, Germany in 1940, and in 1952, Otto came by ship to Canada to start a new life after the war and to experience new adventures. At that time he was 23 years old and worked for a farmer in Hanna, and also worked for the CP Rail in Calgary. Otto met his wife, Elsie Baedke in Calgary and were married on December 31, 1955, in Lethbridge. After they were married they continued to live in Calgary and they built their first house in January of 1959. In 1968, Otto and Elsie moved with their children Victor and Ingrid to Medicine Hat to be closer to family. They settled on a farm five miles down the Holsom Road where Otto continued to farm and also worked at CP Rail to raise and support his family. He was a very hard worker. Along with growing crops he loved raising cattle, chickens, ducks and geese. In 1989, Otto retired from CP Rail at the age of 61 years. They continued to work on the farm and also enjoyed regular trips to Banff, Radium and Fairmont, Hawaii and Germany. Otto with the help of his daughter-in-law Zoeanne looked after Elsie with her failing health until her passing in 1999. Otto loved spending time with is family and friends and was especially proud of his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His face would light up every time he spoke of them. In 2008, Otto met Lily Stonjeck and that is when their journey together began. They enjoyed going to dances at the Veiner Centre, the Germany Harmony Club in Redcliff and taking bus trips together. Otto will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by his family and friends. Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME on Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 12:00 to 12:55 p.m. The funeral service will be held in St. Peter Lutheran Church (758 8th Street SE) on Thursday, December 31, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Alberta, NWT & NU, 100 – 119 14 St NW, Calgary, AB T2N 1Z6 or the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank, 532 South Railway Street SE, Medicine Hat, T1A 2V6. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Otto Friess , or you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Funeral Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

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HARRISON, Jean Winfred 1944 – 2015

Jean passed away on Saturday, December 26, 2015, at the age of 71 years, beloved wife of Gary Harrison of Medicine Hat. The funeral service will be held in Westminster United Church on Wednesday, January 6, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Chelsea Masterman officiating. As an expression of sympathy donations may be made to Carmel Hospice (St. Joseph’s Home) c/o 156 3rd Street NE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 5M1. http://www.InYourCommunity.ca To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Jean Harrison, or you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Funeral Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

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YEAST

It is with heavy hearts that we announce Clayton Yeast, beloved husband of Danelle Yeast and loving father of Hannah and Lincoln, passed away in Calgary. Funeral arrangements will be announced when completed. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Clayton Yeast, or you may visit http://www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.
Funeral Arrangements are by the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM 540 South Railway St. SE, Medicine Hat T1A 4C2

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